We analyzed this song pertaining to Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, in English class. It was an interesting way to look at it, but I don't think it really hit the nail on what the meaning of the song is.
I agree that the song is about a person coming from their native land (most likely Ireland, but since Ireland doesnt have deserts, it could refer to another country. Then again, maybe by 'desert', Bono has in mind a place that's empty and barren to the person living there, which could be just about any settlement that a person's not happy with), to America, hoping that life there is better. The idea of ribbons and bows is a flowery image--this country is, in the person's mind, a beautiful land that has all of these great opportunities and seems really appealing. Sirens, in the Odyssey at least, were women who sung out and lured men towards their rocks. The idea of this better land 'sings' out to the person, and beckons him to come.
The chorus refers to how immigrants dream of the better life while coming to America, and it soon becomes easier to dream than to get those dreams accomplished. In reality, many of the dreams lie broken (sad eyes, etc). By 'In God's Country', I don't see as much of a religious underlining as more of another indication of how grand the American dream is--this land that is perfect and overflowing with dreams. It almost becomes a sort of ironic description--the land has the broken dreams and 'crooked crosses', and yet we still call it God's Country, as if it was perfect and all dreams were realized.
I don't really have much to say on the 'Set me alight...' stanza. Havent thought much on that one.
'She is Liberty' seems to relate to the Statue of Liberty, and how the idea of her beckons to the singer to come to America and achieve all that he hopes to. He describes the positive traits that she stands for 'Hope, faith', but these seem to be mostly in his mind. The tone changes with 'Her vanity...The greatest gift is gold'. This is more like the singer finally realizing how business works in America (or has worked; I keep thinking that this song relates more to the 1800s-early 1900s than does now) and that it's not that everyone's dreams come true in this land--money and power are what are most important to succeed.
And yet, what does the singer learn at the end of the song? Nothing, really. He sees the flame of the Statue of Liberty, and is entraced by it. However, he does not stand with her nor near her. He's instead next to 'the sons of Cain'. Now, from what I know of Biblical allusions/stories (correct me if I'm wrong), Cain was branded with a mark that never really seemed to have a positive effect, other than keeping him alive. In the New Testament, I believe, there are some negative connotations with Cain and his descendants. Although they are said to have created musical instruments, brass, and metals (so they have had some important achievements), in all they are looked down upon. I think this means that even though the singer is in the presence of the Statue of Liberty, he stands not with her but with the sons of Cain--people who go unnoticed, who are shunned from society, and have broken dreams--because he finds his place there. Although the idea of the majesty of the Statue is lovely and enrapturing, the singer knows that it is not him, and that no person can ever amount to the granduer of that symbol. He has no place being an equal by standing next to her, so instead he stands with the people more like him. Yet, even though he knows he cannot have all dreams fulfilled, and that he cannot be like this wonderful symbol, he as well as the sons of Cain, in their hardships and lack of glory, still reach out to that image of perfection, because they are so in love with the idea of it that they can never let it go.
I think that's pretty much all I've gotten out of it. Sorry for the long comment, but I really wanted to get my thoughts out there for this song. Bono's a very talented artist.
We analyzed this song pertaining to Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, in English class. It was an interesting way to look at it, but I don't think it really hit the nail on what the meaning of the song is.
I agree that the song is about a person coming from their native land (most likely Ireland, but since Ireland doesnt have deserts, it could refer to another country. Then again, maybe by 'desert', Bono has in mind a place that's empty and barren to the person living there, which could be just about any settlement that a person's not happy with), to America, hoping that life there is better. The idea of ribbons and bows is a flowery image--this country is, in the person's mind, a beautiful land that has all of these great opportunities and seems really appealing. Sirens, in the Odyssey at least, were women who sung out and lured men towards their rocks. The idea of this better land 'sings' out to the person, and beckons him to come.
The chorus refers to how immigrants dream of the better life while coming to America, and it soon becomes easier to dream than to get those dreams accomplished. In reality, many of the dreams lie broken (sad eyes, etc). By 'In God's Country', I don't see as much of a religious underlining as more of another indication of how grand the American dream is--this land that is perfect and overflowing with dreams. It almost becomes a sort of ironic description--the land has the broken dreams and 'crooked crosses', and yet we still call it God's Country, as if it was perfect and all dreams were realized.
I don't really have much to say on the 'Set me alight...' stanza. Havent thought much on that one.
'She is Liberty' seems to relate to the Statue of Liberty, and how the idea of her beckons to the singer to come to America and achieve all that he hopes to. He describes the positive traits that she stands for 'Hope, faith', but these seem to be mostly in his mind. The tone changes with 'Her vanity...The greatest gift is gold'. This is more like the singer finally realizing how business works in America (or has worked; I keep thinking that this song relates more to the 1800s-early 1900s than does now) and that it's not that everyone's dreams come true in this land--money and power are what are most important to succeed.
And yet, what does the singer learn at the end of the song? Nothing, really. He sees the flame of the Statue of Liberty, and is entraced by it. However, he does not stand with her nor near her. He's instead next to 'the sons of Cain'. Now, from what I know of Biblical allusions/stories (correct me if I'm wrong), Cain was branded with a mark that never really seemed to have a positive effect, other than keeping him alive. In the New Testament, I believe, there are some negative connotations with Cain and his descendants. Although they are said to have created musical instruments, brass, and metals (so they have had some important achievements), in all they are looked down upon. I think this means that even though the singer is in the presence of the Statue of Liberty, he stands not with her but with the sons of Cain--people who go unnoticed, who are shunned from society, and have broken dreams--because he finds his place there. Although the idea of the majesty of the Statue is lovely and enrapturing, the singer knows that it is not him, and that no person can ever amount to the granduer of that symbol. He has no place being an equal by standing next to her, so instead he stands with the people more like him. Yet, even though he knows he cannot have all dreams fulfilled, and that he cannot be like this wonderful symbol, he as well as the sons of Cain, in their hardships and lack of glory, still reach out to that image of perfection, because they are so in love with the idea of it that they can never let it go.
I think that's pretty much all I've gotten out of it. Sorry for the long comment, but I really wanted to get my thoughts out there for this song. Bono's a very talented artist.
You went digging too deep, but this is a pretty cool essay.
You went digging too deep, but this is a pretty cool essay.
And it's a cool meaning too. Yes, Bono is talented.
And it's a cool meaning too. Yes, Bono is talented.